Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Smith.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Like many people, I grew up with substance use and mental health issues in my home. I was a shy and sensitive kiddo who struggled with social anxiety. Growing up, I did not have anyone around me who could show me skills to manage my sensitivity and anxiety in healthy ways, so I turned to numbing out and escaping through toxic relationships, perfectionism, and substance use. I was always a good listener, intuitive, and filled with a desire to help people, so the helping professions seemed like a natural fit for me. I majored in psychology as an undergraduate in college and decided to apply to the graduate counseling program the day before the application was due. Like many things in my life, the experience was very synchronistic and I could not imagine myself going any other path.
After graduate school, I worked in many different settings including a jail, detox center, residential treatment facility, and outpatient therapy location. A few years into my career as a therapist, I began to notice symptoms of vicarious trauma and burnout including headaches, sickness, anxiety, and nausea throughout my workday. I was afraid I would eventually hurt others as I was hurting myself, so I quit my job, traveled for a month, and started my private practice. I opened Radiance Counseling over three years ago and it has continued to evolve and change in beautiful and unexpected ways since that time. As I come into my power as a healer and teacher, my business seems to come into it’s true and authentic form.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe if you are on the right path, then things tend to unfold smoothly, but if you are meant to change course or take a different path, then you might come up against barriers and obstacles. For me, many aspects of my business have aligned and fell into place in due time. The struggle for me has always been being patient and trusting the universe to deliver what I am needing rather than having a knee-jerk response or exerting my power and control on situations before the right time. For example, when I was ready to expand my business and add on another therapist, Kate, my contractor showed up at my office and shared she was interested in contract therapy work. As my mentor shared with me in graduate school, I am constantly reminded that the universe works in mysterious ways. My life works best when I trust the universe, relinquish control, and surrender. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
What should we know about Radiance Counseling? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?I am a counselor by trade, but I see myself more as a guide to my clients who walks alongside them on their healing journeys. I specialize in working with empaths, creatives, wounded rebels, and people who have experienced trauma. I also work a lot with substance use, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression, which tend to all be symptoms of trauma. I incorporate the breath, body, and soul into traditional talk therapy work. I believe trauma is stored in the body, so talk therapy seems to only go but so far in the healing process. Because of this, I employ experiential strategies such as breathwork, visualizations, writing, art, nature, movement, and other activities into the therapy process. At Radiance Counseling, I am most proud of the non-judgmental, authentic, loving, and accepting space that Kate and I provide for spiritual seekers and wanderers.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I love to read. Some of my most recommended books are The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, Trauma Stewardship by Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky, and The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. My favorite podcasts are On Being with Krista Tippett, The Doctor’s Farmacy with Dr. Mark Hyman, and The Thoughtful Counselor with Mike Shook. My most recommended apps are Insight Timer (Meditation) and Down Dog (Yoga).
Contact Info:
- Address: 950 N. Logan St. Ste. 202, Denver, CO 80203
- Website: www.radiancecounseling.com
- Phone: 7204325223
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @radiancecounseling
Image Credit:
Emily Elizabeth Photo
Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
